Feed-cutter



(No Muael.)

E. W. ROSS.

, FEED GUTTER. No. 417,744. Patented Deo. 24, 1889.

N. PErERS, PheloLixhogmphq. waxhingmnr D4 Cy (No Model.) f 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. E'. W. ROSS.

FEED GUTTER No. 417,744. Patented Deo. 24, 1889.

./torney 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. W. ROSS.

FEED GUTTER (No Model.)

No. 417,744. Patented Deo. 24, 1889.,l

@M4/mm UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

EIJMORE IV. ROSS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

FEED-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,744, dated December 24, 1889.

Application filed January 17, 1888. Serial No, 260,993. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELMORE IV. Ross, of Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Feed-Cutters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to the construction of the cutting-cylinder and of the sectional knives or Shredders therefor; to the manner of connectingl the stationary knife-bar and the station ary or non-yieldin g feed-roll Whereby they are made adjustable together and held always in proper working relation to each other to the pivoted bars or frame carrying the yielding feed-roll; to the construction of said bars and of the boxes for the cutting-cylinder shaft for adapting the bars to be readily connected to and disconnected from saidV boxes; to the arrangement of gearing connected therewith, and to certain other details of construction and arrangement of parts for improving the machine and giving easier access to various parts for adjustment or repair, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

The machine hereinafter described and shown in the drawings is adapted for use in cutting all kinds of fodder and ensilage, but is especially designed for shredding cornfodder and reducing' it to a fine soft food for stock.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents my improved machine in side elevation; Figs. l and l, detail views ofk parts of the cutter-frame and hood. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of aportion of themachine, the opposite side to that shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4t shows, in perspective, a portion of the upper longitudinal frame-timbers, with the adjustable boxes for the stationary or unyielding feed-roll, showing the stationary knife-bar and holder attached and portions of said knife bar and holder detached. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame carrying the yielding feed-roll and of the gearing for driving said roll. Fig. G is a detail view showing the construction of the joint between the yielding feed-roll frame and the bearings for -with a double spiral and the other with a single spiral for thei cutters, and each with two of the cutters applied. spective view of one of the spiral knife-holders of the sectional or divided cutter-cylinder with one of the knives secured thereto. Fig. ll shows the form of the knives and the means for securing the same to and adjusting 6 5 them on the spiral knife-head.

The upright frame of the machine (indicated by A and A) is of any usual or preferred construction. Upon the upper longitudinal bars thereof are rigidly secured angle- 7o irons a a, and behind these on said bars are bearing blocks or irons h b, having each a vertical longitudinal slot through which they are held to the frame-bars by suitable bolts,

the slots permitting the longitudinal adjustment of the blocks, which is effected by means of screws a passing through the upright portions of the angle-irons a and into corresponding upturned flanges on the bearing-blocks l).

These blocks are provided at b with bear- 8o ings for the fixed feed-roll shaft and directly behind these bearings with seats for the ends of a knife-holder B, which Vis rigidly secured to said irons h by through bolts or screws.

The holder B is cast in the angle-iron form shown, with the horizontal portion in front with its forward edge in close proximity to the fixed feed-roll, the inclined rear part of the holder forming a seat for the knife-bar B', which is secured to said holder by screws 9o or through-bolts, the heads of which are countersunk or let into said knife-bar B', so as to be flush therewith on their outer faces. rlhese knives are iat rectangular bars, which can be turned or reversed as the angles become 1 chilled or injured until all the angles have been used, thereby making them much more durable than where only one of the angles or corners is adapted for use in cutting..

In rear of the knife-bar B the frame-timico bers A have standard brackets O, secured to them in bearing-sleeves c, on the upper ends Fig. S is a face or front view of the 55 Fig. 10 is a per- 6o of which the cutting-cylinder shaft is mounted. These sleeves project outwardly from the upright portion of the bracket and are flattened on their outer, front, or rear sides to adapt them to receive the slotted ends of the side bars D and D of the yielding frame carrying the upper feed-roll. The slots d in the ends of bars terminate in circular openings CZ, of a, diameter litting the untlattened stud portion of the sleeves c for pivotally supporting said bars thereon and holdingl them engaged therewith, except when the bars are raised to a vertical position, as shown in Fig. (S, when they can be readily lifted off the sleeves.

` The bars are connected near their outer swinging ends by a rigid transverse bar D2, land together support the gearing for actuating the feed-rolls, as follows: The bar D is provided with a pendent arm D3, in which, and bar D', a series of perfor-ations d2 are formed at different distances from the cuttercylinder shaft to receive a pin or stud d3, which is detachably secured in one of said perforations by a nut, as shown,or in other suitable manner, and can be transferred from one to another of said perforations for adapting the stud'to receive gears of different diameters for 'changing the feed.

On the cutting-cylinder shaft E, to which motion is communicated in any usual or preferred way, is secured a gear-wheel e, which engages and drives a wheel e on the stud d3, and having clutched or otherwise attached to its outer face or side a pinion e2, which engages and drives a gear-wheel c3, fast on the end of the upper feed-roll shaft F, which is mounted in suitable bearings fin the bars D D. By adjusting the stud cl3 and substituting for the connected gears c and e2 thereon other gears of different relative diameters to suit such changed position of the stud, the speed of the feed-roll shaft F can be changed for `varying the feed as desired. The opposite end of the shaft F carries a gear-wheel g, engaging a gear g', mounted loosely on a stud 7L on the bar D. rlhe outer end of the stud h supports a pendent link h, the lower end of which has a circular perforation h2, forming a bearing for the outer end t" of a studshaft t'. The end t" is flattened on its upper and lower sides to adapt it to pass into and out of the bearing` through a slot in the end of link h', opening into bearing h2, as shown, the, construction being similar to that of the barsD and sleeve-bearings C, above described, and permitting the link h and the double link jj, connected to stud-shaft t', to be readily connected or disconnected when brought into the same plane, or nearly so.

The stud-shaft@l has a gear-wheel g2 mounted loosely on it between the link-bars and in ,mesh with gear g', receiving motion therefrom, and with a gear g3 on the fixed feedroll shaft F for driving the latter. The links jj are on opposite sides of the gears g2 and g3, and are journaled loosely on the shaft F kthe arrangement described permitting the gear g2 to swing or vibrate around the gear g3 to accommodate the movements of the bars D and D', carrying the upper feed-roll. ABy raising the bars D and D until the link h is brought into line with the links j, said bars and link h can be released from the links j and gears g2 and g3, and by raising the bars D and D to a vertical position they can be released from their supports C, as explained. The bars D and D have pins (Z4 at their outer ends, and links d5, having hooks on their upper ends, connect said bars with spring-bars D4 or weights for holding the upper roll down to its work. Y

The side bars A have small upright perforated ears a2 secured to them near their rear ends, and the hood A2, covering the cuttin g-cylinder, is provided at the rear ends of its side plates with hook-shaped projections or spurs a3, which engage the perforated ears a2, the spurs a3 curving upward, as shown in Fig. l, and permitting the removal of the hood A2 only when the latter is swung upward into an upright position, thereby preventing its accidental displacement.

A4 (see Fig. lb) indicates one of the removable plates at the sides for preventing the lateral escape of the cut material.

In the construction above described supports are provided on the frame A and swingbars D D for all the mechanism described,

and the usual side-gear plates which prevent the lateral escape 'of the material are notrequired, and l substitute-the removable side boards A4 therefor for keeping the material from getting into the gearing and for giving ready access to the inclosed parts of the machine when dcsired. `The position of this plate is shown in dotted lines, Fig. l, and its formation in Fig. lb. It rests at its forward end on the bearing-plate b, being recessed for that purpose and having a semicircular recess at a4 over the bearing b', and at its rear end rests on the foot-flange of the standard C, and is secured to the inner face of said standard by a screw or other fastening device. lt is recessed also on its upper edge at a5 t-o admit the shaft of the movable roller and has its forward end bolted or otherwise secured to the outer face of the rear end of the side board of the feed-box, as indicated.

These side plates A4 can be readily removed, when desired, and when in place effeetually prevent the escape of material at the sides and into the gearing.

The knife-cylinder is composed of a stepped spiral flange or disk K, formed on and extending around a sleeve K, adapted to be slipped on and engaged with the knife-cylinder shaft E, one such casting forming a complete circle and constituting a knife-head. At times, however, where the cylinder is too long to be conveniently cast in one piece, I place two or more of such heads on the shaft and provide their hubs on their adjacent ends with clutch-faces, as shown, so that one TOO IIO

of 'them being secured to the shaft it will serve to drive the others.

By making the knife holders or heads as described each knife-supporting surface throughout the circle is formed in .one piece with that in front and also with that behind it, all joined by a continuous stepped web and each supporting and bracing the others throughout the circle. The spiral plates K terminate, preferably, each in a lateral iiange or lip constituting a riser to the first knifesupporting su rface of the adjoining plate, and provided with a lug or ear k2 (shown) for adapting it to be bolted to a corresponding ear on said adjoining plate; but other means may be used for unit-ing the sections. The several spiral sections making up the cylinder thus united each'helps to support the others throughout the cylinder. In Fig. 8 the spiral is a double one, each sleeve having two half-circle spiral iianges set opposite each other on the sleeve and arranged t-o form a double spiral row'of holders instead of a single one, as in Fig. 9. This arrangement has the advantage of bringing two knives opposite each other in the same plane, and so of giving two cuts in each revolution of the cylinder instead of only one across the stationary knife-bar. Otherwise the construction of the spiral knife-holder is the same as that shown in Fig. 9, and above described. The ends of the sleeves K are clutch-faced, as shown, so that when one at the end of the shaft is keyed or otherwise fastened -to the shaft E to revolve with it, and the others are placed on the shaft, they will all connect with and be drawn by said end sleeves, but they may be connected with the shaft to receive motion therefrom in any suitable manner.

The form of the cutters proper is shown in Fig. ll, in side elevation and in perspective. Itis made from a single plate m, of thin steel, made tapering inward and a square piece being removed from its outer rear edge. Its outer end and its heel edge are bent on the same side to a position at right angles to the body of the cutter, as shown at m m2. The lip m is beveled atits forward end and on its outer face to a edge, as shown, and forms a narrow chisel-shaped cutter-section, which acts on cornstalks to cut a narrow strip therefrom, the following heel projections m2 acting as hammers to break off what is cut by the knives m. The knife-plates m have slots m3 formed in them, which cross obliquely slots k3 in the holder surfaces of the spiral plates K, and said plates mare placed on the spiral plates with their rear or heel edges m2 abutting against the radial steps or shoulders la of the spiral plate K. The knives `are secured to the spiral` disks by boltsn passing through the slots m3 and k3, and by loosening the bolts n and moving them up or down in the oblique slots k3 they serve to crowd the plates m in or out of the holder-surfaces as desired, when the bolt is again tightened to hold them. The bolt n is provided adjacent to its head with a cam o'r eccentric n', which rests in the slot m3 in the knife-plate, so arranged that by turning the bolt said cam will be made to effect a further adjustment of the knife-plates when required.

From the above description it Will be readily seen that while the cutter described may be used to advantage in cutting all kinds of feed, it is more particularly adapted to the cutting into Vminute pieces or shredding of cornstalks as the spiral arrangement ofnarrow sectional cutters following each other in rapid succession and each cutting oif a small slice makes such operation easy as compared with other forms of cutters,and the construction of the knife-heads gives to the knives a strong, connected, and continuous bracing support.

Having now described my invention, I claim as newl. The pivoted and vibrating frame, in which the movable feed-roll shaft is journaled, having apivotal center concentric with a gear-shaft, from which said feed-roll shaft is actuated and provided with an interposed stud-shaft, in combination with gears on said feed-roll shaft and its actuating-shaft and the interposed connectinggear on said studshaft, substantially as described.

2. In a feed-cutter, the combination, with the machine-frame, of a pivoted and vibrating frame detachably connected with said machine-frame, the feed-roll shaft j ournaled in and vibrating with said pivoted frame, the fixed feed-roll shaft, the gears on said feedroll shafts, the interposed connecting-gear, and the jointed links supporting said connecting-gear, the parts of which links are detachably connected, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the feed-rollers and the gearing for operating the same, of the side plates or boards interposed between said rolls and gearing for confining said rollers at their ends and for protecting said gearing, and made removable for giving access to the machine, substantially as described.

4. A knife-cylinder head or casting made in the form of a stepped or zigzag spiral web or flange, formed upon and extending around a central hub, and whereon a series of steps or offsets are formed for the reception of the cutters, substantially as described.

5. A knife-cylinder head or casting made in the form of a stepped continuous zigzag spiral flange or web extending -from and around a single central hub or sleeve, in combination with the cutters secured on said stepped flange, each succeeding cutter on one side of the plane of the cutter in advance of it, substantially as described.

6. The stepped spiral disks or flanges the several steps of which are formed in one piece with connectingwebs, which support and brace each other continuously throughout the entire plate, in combination with knife-plates provided with the angular cutter-sections and IOO IIO

the angular heel proj eetions, Substantially as disks, and'through connecting-bolts provided described. with cams or eeeentries for adjusting said 7. The combination of the stepped spiral plates, substantially as described. disks forming' the knife-headsand the knife- In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset n 5 plates adjustable thereon, one of which parts my hand this 10th dayfof Deeembelg'Ai. D. 15

is slotted to permit the adjustment of the 1887.

knives of the through retaining-bolt, substan- ELMORE NV. ROSS. tially as described. ivituesses:V

8. The combination ofthe stepped spiral REX SMITH, ro knife-head disks, the knife-plates on said EWELL A. DICK. 

